Kuki, Meitei groups’ dialogue with MHA officials ends in a stalemate

In a significant development in the ongoing efforts to restore peace in ethnic strife-hit Manipur, delegations of the warring Kuki and Meitei tribes met face to face in New Delhi in the presence of senior Home Ministry officials to discuss ways to end violence in the state.

However, it is reliably learnt that the almost five-hour-long meeting ended in a stalemate with no side arriving at a consensus.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is learnt to have put forward a roadmap for ensuring peace, but owing to objections by both sides, the talks ended in a stalemate.

Sources informed that the roadmap included appeal for non-violence and strong administrative action against perpetrators, support for disarmament efforts and cooperation with initiatives led by the Governor, facilitation of free movement along national and state highways, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) with government support, focus on developmental efforts in conflict-affected and neglected areas, as well as holding dialogues with MHA to ensure long-term resolution of contentious issues.

This meeting was being seen as a crucial one because in October last year, Kuki MLAs of the state had refused to share the same table with their Meitei counterparts during a similar round of negotiations with MHA officials.

Saturday’s meeting — facilitated by the MHA — saw participation from six representatives of the Meitei community, drawn from the All-Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS).

The Kuki community was represented by eight delegates, including six from the Kuki-Zo Council and two from the Zomi Council.

Senior central officials led the dialogue with Interlocutor AK Mishra and a Joint Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) representing the MHA.

The Manipur state government was represented by Chief Secretary PK Singh and Additional Director General of Police Ashutosh Kumar Sinha.

India